by With the college football season being a month from the finish line, here is my list of the most underrated players in the country. While you may or may know some of the names, these players are flying under the radar and had breakout campaigns that deserve to be noticed. Let’s jump into it.
Noah Fifita – QB, Arizona
Fifita has emerged as one of the most efficient signal callers in the country for a red-hot Arizona team that is on the brink of winning 10 games for the first time since 2014. What’s crazy is that he was the backup to begin the season before then-starter Jayden de Laura went down with a serious ankle injury. Since taking over the offense in Week 5, Fifita has thrown for 2,515 yards, 23 touchdowns (T-25th in FBS), and just five interceptions. He also has the fourth best completion rate (73.6%) and the eighth-best QBR (167.5) in the FBS. Not bad for a redshirt freshman with only eight full games under his belt.
Cameron Skattebo – RB, Arizona State
You’ve most likely never heard the name until now, but meet one of the most versatile players in college football. Skettebo is primarily a running back for the Sun Devils as he rushed for 783 yards and nine touchdowns this season, including a 108-yard game in the season finale against Arizona. He’s also punted (averaged around 44.0 yards per punt), played quarterback (6/15 130 yards TD), and lined up at slot receiver for ASU this season. Skattebo is good at everything and had he been on a ranked team this season, he’d be receiving major headlines by now.
Roman Wilson – WR, Michigan
You hear his name a lot on Saturdays but rarely anytime else. Wilson is an absolute star and doesn’t get the limelight that he should for being the primary receiving target on the top-ranked team in the nation. He’s tied for the ninth-most touchdown catches in the nation (11), has 25 receptions for a first down (60% of total receptions), and zero drops on the season. Wilson is the Wolverines’ top playmaker on the perimeter and is a matchup nightmare in single coverage. Him against Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry will be a matchup to pay attention to in the Rose Bowl.
Ashton Jeanty – RB, Boise State
A dynamic bell-cow running back in a rush-heavy system, Jeanty currently leads the nation with 1,264 total yards to go along with 164.9 all-purpose yards per game (2nd in FBS) and 19 total touchdowns (5th in FBS) while leading the Mountain West in scrimmage yards by over 300 yards. A unique blend of speed and power, the elusive Jeanty became the first FBS player since 2019 to have 1,000+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards in the same season. He did all of this despite missing three games.
Ricky White III – WR, UNLV
The Rebels have an electric wide receiver in White, who is one of the most underrated players in America. The Michigan State transfer is an alpha receiver in the passing game, posting an 81-1,386-7 stat line while making up 46% of UNLV’s receiving yardage and 36% of the team’s receptions. He was a unanimous first-team All-Mountain West selection and will be a solid slot receiver at the next level.
Caleb Downs – DB, Alabama
A soon-to-be freshman All-American, Downs has had a sensational season for the Tide despite not yet being a household name. He became the first DB to lead Alabama in tackles in the Nick Saban era (99 total) and has not allowed a pass of 40+ yards since a 46-yard touchdown against All-American Malik Nabers in the LSU game. Downs is a highly underrated defender, especially when being overshadowed by future first rounders McKinstry and DB Terrion Arnold in the secondary.
RJ Harvey – RB, UCF
One of the most explosive running backs in the country, Harvey turned in a heck of a season for the Knights in 2023. The prolific senior tailback rushed for 1,291 yards (10th in FBS), averaged 108 YPG on the ground, and led the country with runs of 60+ yards. He also outdueled the Doak Walker Award winner a month ago.
Ashton Gillotte – DE, Louisville
The Louisville Cardinal had a borderline Top-15 defense in 2023 and Gillotte was the anchor of the unit. The junior edge rusher led the ACC with 11 sacks (9th in FBS), had a career-high 45 tackles, and forced three fumbles (T-13th in FBS) behind a second-team All-American-type year. For as much praise as FSU’s Jared Verse and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu get, Gillotte deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation.
Graham Mertz – QB, Florida
I wrote about this guy earlier in the season, but Mertz has resurrected his college career in a big way down in SEC country. He’s a good decision maker who completed 72.8% of his passes (5th in FBS) and only threw three interceptions all year (two were WR drops). In a Gator system that lacked solid coaching and elite playmakers on offense, the Wisconsin transfer steadily improved each week this season. In his final four games, Mertz averaged 251.5 passing YPG and threw eight touchdowns and just one interception against Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, and Missouri in what was UF’s most brutal stretch of the season. He’s a lot better than people think and deserves more respect.
Jarrian Jones – CB, Florida State
The veteran Seminole defender turned in a stout season for the 13-0 ACC champs. Jones has been the hidden gem in the FSU secondary in 2023, being named the second-highest graded corner in the country (PFF) and the highest-graded corner in man coverage in the country (PFF). The slot cornerback also led the team with three interceptions. Somehow Jones only earned All-ACC honorable mention honors.
Cade Stover – TE, Ohio State
While constantly being overshadowed by teammates Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka in the passing game, Stover is quietly one of the most productive receiving tight ends in the entire country. The Buckeye tallied 41 catches for 576 yards with over 150 yards of YAC and zero drops in the regular season. He’s not a first-round talent, but is good enough to catch a lot of NFL scouts’ attention.
Michael Barrett – LB, Michigan
I know, I know, another Wolverine on the list. But for good reason. Barrett is overshadowed by a truck load of elite playmakers on the Michigan defense and turned in perhaps the best single season out of anyone on that roster. He was the highest-rated Big Ten linebacker (PFF), forced two turnovers, had 52 total tackles, and racked up two sacks, yet didn’t even crack third-team all-conference honors.
Beaux Limmer – C, Arkansas
The big boys up front matter too and Limmer was one of the few bright spots on a 4-8 Arkansas team in 2023. A projected third-round pick, Limmer is a clear-cut top-five center in the SEC and one of the better all-around lineman in college football. He’s more of a dominant run blocker, but the Razorback senior did not yield a sack all season and has the versatility to play anywhere in the interior as he was a guard in first few seasons in Fayetteville.
Makhi Hughes – RB, Tulane
While Tyjae Spears was a solid RB prospect coming out of college, the Green Wave might just have another one in Hughes. The true freshman bursted onto the scene in his rookie year, tallying 1,290 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.3 YPC. Spears also recorded 100+ yards on the ground in seven of the last nine games, including a career-high 166 yards against UTSA in the game that got Tulane in the AAC Championship. He’s a productive player that carries a lot of immediate upside.
Kenneth Almendares – K, Louisiana
Special teams deserves some love too, right? The Ragin Cajuns are set to play in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday and their junior kicker has been automatic all year long. Almendares put together one of the most efficient seasons in the FBS, as he capped off the regular season with the fifth-best field goal percentage in the nation (13 FGM/14 FGA). He was also 46/47 on PATs (miss was blocked) and was one of two kickers to be perfect from over 50 yards last year (no attempts in 2023). Add this guy to your 2024 Lou Groza Award watchlist.
I definitely missed a few names on my list. Comment what players I forgot to mention down below!
